The objective of this study was geared towards determining the current pollution status of the
Sakumo Ramsar site w ith the aim of identifying factors affecting the long-term “integrity” of the Ramsar site.
Water quality deterioration, mainly salinization, has occurred in the Sakumo lagoon, Accra, Ghana. The cause
of deterioration of water quality was studied using hydrochemical data and environmental isotopes of water;
namely deuterium and oxygen-18 (measured as δ2H and δ180). Water samples were collected from the lagoon,
feeder streams and some beverage and textile industries. The sequence of order of the heavy metals in the water
observed in the Sakumo wetland was as follows: Fe > Mn > Cu >Hg. The δ2H and δ180 content prove
successful when interpreted with corresponding hydrochemical data. The d-values of water samples from any
source normally change due to history and processes to which the water molecules have been subjected in the
environment. Results indicated both higher enrichment of heavier isotopes and higher chloride concentration
in water sam ples from the lagoon than in water sam ples from other sources (industries and feeder stream s).